Severe and recurrent infections with Herpes simplex virus type I (HSV-1) are observed in a large group of patients treated in immunology facilities, yet the pathomechanism of these infections remain largely unknown. The most important cells controlling Herpes infections are NK cells, and recent findings indicate an important role of microRNA (miRNA) regulation of gene expression by in development and function of these cells. That is why, the aim of the study was to determine a role of miRNA in severe and/or recurrent infections with HSV-1.
The miRNA expression profile was determined in NK cells isolated from patient and control subjects using TaqMan real-time PCR. Currently, the role of selected miRNAs, upregulated in a group of patients, in gene expression involved in antiviral response of NK cells is being investigated.
As a result, we detected four miRNA: miR-27b, miR-199b, miR-369-3p, and miR-491-3p, which expression was significantly elevated in a group of patients, in comparison to healthy controls. These miRNAs have been described previously i.e. to attenuate inflammatory response on monocytes (miR-199b) or take part in the development of neurological disorders during other virus of Herpes family – cytomegalovirus (miR-27b), yet their function was not studied in NK cells. The role of selected miRNAs in regulation of antiviral response of NK cells should be presented at the poster.
At this stage, it is not clear whether the observed alteration of the expression of microRNAs is a cause of observed disturbance of antiviral response or a result of prolonged viral infection.